Freedom vs serenade vs adventure opinion please

[wilson]

We are looking into next years cruise and have come upon the usual roadblock. We are traveling with 4 teens ages 13-29, 3 have cruised before and are stuck with which cruise.

We are limited to a particular week and have it narrowed down to:

Adventure of the Seas: southern, Aruba, Curacao, st thomas and st martin - we just came off this cruise and liked it very much

serenade of the seas: southern, but a completely different itinerary

freedom of the seas: western, did this route 2 years ago on Navigator.

5 of us have been on three cruises all voyager class ships. The adults like the Serenade itinerary and the kids want the Freedom. The Freedom would cost about $2500 more than the others.

I don't feel it's worth the difference, Opinions??

Would the kids be disappointed on the Serenade after having been on the Voyager class ships??

Thoughts, opinions?? any idle ramblings that may help us decide??

Thanks

[Sonny V]

I think the common denominator here would be the $2,500; especially after you've already experienced the Voyager class ships. I think the kids would miss the ice show, and perhaps the Promenade, but they aren't paying for the cruise; you are. The difference in the amount of money can pay for a lot of excursions. Or, the money saved could be but toward another cruise. They should just be happy that they're getting to go on a cruise!

Sonny

[Nat]

I agree w/Sonny! Our (ages 11-15) kids and my sisters have been on the Wonder and the Mariner (RCCL). My parents are taking us all on the Enchantment (RCCL) in July for there 50th! A smaller ship than the Mariner and its not Disney and its much less $$! However, they know and have been told "several times " how lucky they are and never take any of this for granted. I also must say that no matter what ship/ports you go on, its who your with (family/friends) and the memory's that you make, ect. that are really important!! Good luck!!

[LisaP]

I also agree with Sonny and Nat. $2500 is a lot of money. While I do not have first-hand knowledge of the ships, I'm sure there will be plenty for the kids to do in the S. Caribbean ports you'll be visiting. Let us know what you decide.

[spoheat]

Just got off the Liberty--Loved it, make no mistake, but would not pay $2500 extra to go on it! I have mostly cruised the Voyager class ships and love them, but for an itinery I like would take any RCCL ship. The kids agree: Voyager class=first choice, getting to go at all, better choice. Having that kind of $$ to spend on amazing shore excursions is worth a ship change. Good luck convincing the teenaged crowd, I travel with two of them, but I think he who rules the credit card has final say and everyone should just be happy-happy-happy about what you pick!

[spoheat]

Just remembered by travel agent trying to get us on the Serenade last year--she knows us, is a huge fan of Voyager Class ships herself, but still felt we would not be disappointed in any way.

[wilson]

Hey Folks,
For those that are interested in the outcome...

thanks for all of the input, your replies for the most part mirrored those of the adults in the group. After much deliberation the decision actually came down to cabin selection. We prefer to have adjoining cabins as it makes it easier to keep track of the kids.

We had decided to be a return to the Adventure but there were no adjoining cabins left so we compromised and decided on the Freedom and the adults would cruise alone on the Serenade in the fall - works for me. The Freedom actually ended up being about $1000 more than AOS, still alot but better than the $2500 we first thought.

Thanks again for the help.